Morris tribune., 1887-01-26
f. w. RANDALL,
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
DIGEST OF THE BILL NOW AWAITING
THE PRESIDENTS ACTION.

a Commission of Five To BE Appointed
-Doings In the House of Representa-
tives - Death of Senator yeorhess'
Wifs-Evarts in n Rage-A Bill by
neutrality-suspicious..
WASHINGTON CRY, Jan. s4-The inter-
state commerce bill, as it finally passed the
house, provides that no common carrier, the
line Of which is either all rail or part rail
and part water, shall make unjust or un-
reasonable charges for the transportation Of
passengers or freight; prohibits the change
or collection Of q greater compensation from
one person or persons, for the same service,
or similar service, under similar conditions,
than 70 any other person or persons; prohib-
its the giving Of unreasonable preference to
one person or persons over any other person
or persons, or locality, or to any particular
description Of traffic; makes it unlawful
for any common carrier to charge
or receive greater compensation for
similar service over any portion OF line
than over ths whole line, nor shall this bs
construed as authorizing as great change;
but the commission may in special cases
permit the cha ge pro hibited above for suffi-
cisnt reasons ;.prohibits pooling; requires
common carriers to publicly post at every
station their rates. fares and charges, on
their own line, and the commission may
require them to publish such rates, ETC., to
places beyond their own lines; provides that
ten days notice shall be given Of q raise In
rates, and o reduction Of rates must be pub
ncly announced ne the time it takes place;
prohibits combinations to prevent the con-
tinuous carriage Of freights from point
Of shipment to destination; makes
tho common carrier violating this
act liable for damages to the person
injured, and permits such person to bring
suit in the courts or before the commission,
but not before both; provides penalties for
violation OF the law; establishes commission
OF ive persons to be appointed by the presi-
dent, with consent Of the senate, each men,
Der of the commission after the first six
years to be appointed for term of six years
and the first members to be appointed so that
one shall end his term in two, three, four,
dve and six years; that they are to receive
81, 500 per annum and are given power to
employ the necessary help The act goes into
effect sixty days after its passage, and $780,
0o IS appropriated for its execution during
the fiscal year 1885,.
There appears to be no doubt that the
president will sign the inter state commerce
-AA~ @4A 80" Va SAA0 Wy "
1t has passed both houses, although it is said
there are several features of the measure
which do not especially commend themselves
to him In anticipation OF the passage of
the bill, various gentlemen in different sec
tions have let it be known that they would
have no objections to serve as commissioners
under its provisions. OF these, several live
in New England, a half dozen in New York,
two in Maryland and probably twenty in the
northwest. 1t is said that ex-senator Thur
man, of Ohio, has written a personal letter
asking the appointment of his son. Among
those desirous of serving are said to be some
OF the state railroad commissioners who
claim that their experience will be Of value.
The railroad people here say that the actual
trial of the bill viii be sufficient to demon
strate its impracticability, and they predict
that It will he repealed by the next congress.